PODCAST | Sarah Bradbury interviews Naoki Kobayashi, actor of the film Earthquake Bird.
Japanese actor, Naoki Kobayashi, told us about why he was drawn to the role of Teiji in Wash Westmoreland’s thriller Earthquake Bird from the red carpet at the BFI London Film Festival. He explained how he connected to the film set in 1989 Tokyo and his experience of working with Wash as a director and opposite actress Alicia Vikander.
Earthquake Bird: Lucy (Vikander) is a buttoned-up, MUJI-clad translator who has been in Japan for five years and is desperate to blend in. Her reticent nature hides old scars. There’s also the fact that people around her keep dying – accidentally or otherwise. After a street encounter with hot photographer Teiji (Naoki Kobayashi), she quickly finds herself under his spell, despite all the warning signs. And the pot is stirred further when American nurse Lily (Riley Keough) – all blowsy sexual confidence and cultural naïvety – arrives in town and Lucy experiences some frightening impulses. Wash Westmoreland (Colette) has crafted a moody and intriguing update on 1980s psycho-sexual thrillers, shifting the emphasis onto the psychology of the female protagonist. Alicia Vikander is astonishing in a role that explores cultural fascination, belonging and obsession.
A double victory for Woman Unknown, major prizes for established auteurs and a strong showing for political cinema, new talent and Italian performers. The complete verdict of the Venice Film Festival 2026.
Presented out of competition in the Open section of Venice 83, Theo Rollason and Peter Tatchell trace Derek Jarman's legacy and today's fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Queer Edward II
"Listy-Letters from the Silenced Country" by director Andrei Kutsila reveals intimate stories of Belarusian prisoners and exiles, giving voice to resilience and hope amid repression.
"Guria" by director Levan Koguashvili offers a captivating blend of humor and tragedy set in 90s Georgia, highlighting human resilience and authentic stories from post-Soviet times.